Sex and Relationships

When you’re young and in love, devoting your life to someone else might seem like the best option in the world. It can leave you feeling happy and excited when you meet a person. You might share similar worries to them, and feel sad when they are sad.

It is natural to think that person is the most natural thing in the world and you will be together forever. However, it is important not to make hasty decisions based on your future because of what your other half hopes to do.

Sex is fun and in a relationship of two loving adults, can increase that love. However, like most fun things it is not without its risks, and should be treated with maturity. It is important to look after the health of yourself and your sexual partner by using contraception, to avoid pregnancy and the risk of sexually transmitted disease.

Mistakes can happen and you do not know what the consequences might be when you are not thinking rationally or are too guided by your desires rather than your head. This is just a part of growing up, and life would not be possible without making a few mistakes along the way.

Your boyfriend/girlfriend might seem like the most important person in the world and you might think that you are ready and know each other well enough to devote your entire life to them or bringing up a family. The reality is that these life decisions need to be considered rationally, not just emotionally.

What are the effects of peer pressure?

In some cases, peer pressure can be positive. For example, you might be encouraged by your friends to watch a certain TV programme or listen to a particular band. The effect of this is harmless. However, peer pressure can sometimes have a negative effect that is dangerous or harmful. Some people may be influenced by their friends to do something that they don’t want to do in order to fit in. Or they may influence others to act in a certain way because they want to feel better about themselves.

In October of this year, the country was shocked by allegations made against Sir Jimmy Saville, the late BBC TV and radio presenter, as police pursued 120 leads of sexual abuse that were made against him. The abuse spanned decades and involved more than 50 potential victims, from Stoke Mandeville Hospital where Saville volunteered, to the BBC’s Corporation House.